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Repotting Cactus

pash2pash2 Posts: 95
in Problem solving
Hi
My Two Cactus's are quite old and last re potted in 2016 /17
The Silver torch is 1 metre tall and the pot has a diameter of 21cm 
The bits where the spike's are missing is because i used gloves when i re potted it.

The other Cactus is 37cm tall and the pot is 12cm diameter 
The two ball things i was given about a month ago in very small pots.

I would like to make a small Cactus garden using all the plants except the silver torch and have both pots on the window cil at either end.

1, Would it be advisable to re pot the torch into a slightly bigger pot?2
2, Can i put the other plants into one pot maybe the size of the torches pot?
3, Do i use Cactus compost or can i get away with normal compost?
I used Cactus compost last time.
Please excuse the mess as i am in the middle of decorating.
Thanks 


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Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    You need a mixture of grit and sand to repot cacti. You can get a specialist compost. Do not use multipurpose humus rich stuff or they will rot.  Last time i repotted one I used gauntlets and wrapped it in newspaper and a layer of cardboard to handle it.  The pot sizes look OK to me. The ball ones could go in a pot together, but as I say above, not MPC.
  • pash2pash2 Posts: 95
    Hi thanks for your reply. 
    What's MPC?

    Thanks 
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Multi Purpose Compost.  Usually fibrous, used to be peat based but now full of recycled green waste you send to the council.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    The very tall ones need a heavy pot , ceramic or similar and possibly a few stones at the bottom or they get top heavy and fall over.
  • pash2pash2 Posts: 95
    I have found these plant pots so i can have matching pots but will the 24cm one be suitable for my large cactus?
    I will then get the medium one for the Cactus garden.
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09JCMCGMY/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza?th=1

    Plant Pot comes in varying dimensions including: Small - W: 16cm x D: 16cm x H: 14cm / Medium - W: 20cm x D: 20cm x H: 18cm / Large - W: 24cm x D: 24cm x H: 22cm


    Thanks
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    fidgetbones said:
    You need a mixture of grit and sand to repot cacti. You can get a specialist compost. Do not use multipurpose humus rich stuff or they will rot.  Last time i repotted one I used gauntlets and wrapped it in newspaper and a layer of cardboard to handle it.  The pot sizes look OK to me. The ball ones could go in a pot together, but as I say above, not MPC.

    Good advice above but one point of particular interest ; the two 'ball-ones' are Lophophora williamsii , known in its native Mexico as Peyote .
    It is also the source of the highly hallucinogenic drug Mescaline . Apart from that minor detail it does require a very free-draining gritty compost and full sunshine throughout the year ; good luck with them .
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Pash2, mine are nowhere near as grand as yours, but I have made a dozen desert Scapes,I add little daft things, like the skull, the dog (my youngest daughter has some lead figures tiny,that my late father made,am waiting for them back, they will be added. The Agave has been split many times. I only use cactus compost. Instead of an auricular theatre,I have this. I love the donut ones, what are they?
  • pash2pash2 Posts: 95
    Thanks Everyone i am going to do a new post regarding the new plant pots.
    @Nanny Beach unsure what the donut plants are but maybe @Paul B3 can help as he told me what my plants are and thank you for that Paul.
    Nanny the two plants that look like rose flowers did you know can take a leave off and allow it to dry out and it will start to grow a root so you can pot on.
    I do this all the time.

    Thanks again everyone.


  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    Do you have a pot with drainage holes inside your decorative pot? Your mix seems very wet.
    Sunny Dundee
  • MikeOxgreenMikeOxgreen Posts: 812
    John Innes No.2 mixed with Hort grit. Don't put sand in.
    Some people add a dash of very basic, cheap cat litter in the mix.
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